SOCCER

Gattuso apologizes after Italy misses out on third straight World Cup

The Italians took an early lead in Zenica, but after going down to 10 men, they were hauled back by Bosnia before penalties sent Gennaro Gattuso's side packing.

By The Japan Times

• April 01, 2026 at 3:17 AM

Gattuso apologizes after Italy misses out on third straight World Cup Photo: The Japan Times

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso during the match against Bosnia-Herzegovina at Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, Bosnia, on Tuesday
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ZENICA, Bosnia-Herzegovina –
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso was emotional and apologetic after his side suffered a playoff penalty shootout ⁠loss in Bosnia on Tuesday, missing out on its third successive World Cup, but he refused to talk about his future.The Italians, four-time winners and champions as recently as 2006, took an early lead in Zenica, but after going down to 10 men, they were hauled back by Bosnia before penalties sent Gattuso's side packing.After suffering defeat at the playoff stage for the last two World Cups, another ‌absence will ‌be hard to take for all involved in Italian football.

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